When gearheads aren’t trawling Craigslist for the next old-lady-owned tucked away in a barn, they’re dreaming of cool places to put their toys.
Usually, dream garages never become reality. It’s rare to find someone with enough ambition and/or cash to make it happen, but credit one Florida couple for creating something remarkable: the Hangar Home.
Their house’s rear facade doubles as a garage door that conceals a cavernous work and storage area, complete with a set of cushy-looking armchairs for when the weekend project is over. We can’t imagine how long this place took to complete, but all the time and effort really paid off. for two videos of the Hangar Home in action.
2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
officially unveiled the to a crowd of dealers and enthusiasts on the eve of the Indianapolis 500. The droptop muscle car boasts a slew of tweaks that are destined to eventually make their way to the greater lineup, including new soft-touch materials on the dash, a new steering wheel that’s not ridiculous to use, and a few suspension changes. GM tells us that SS models will be equipped with the new FE4 suspension package, born from the development the upcoming Camaro ZL1. V6 Camaros will now pack 323 horsepower, a gain of 11 over the 2011 model-year cars.
GM will produce the Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition to meet demand, so there should be plenty to go around. In addition to the interior and mechanical adjustments, the car wears special logos on the fenders, seat backs, door sills, steering wheel and dash to separate it from the rest of the Camaro stable. Pricing will be available closer to the convertible’s fall launch date. for the full press blast.
According to TheDetroitBureau.com, is planning to alter its strategy with the next-generation to appeal to a wider range of customers. Traditionally, the Corvette has always been offered with high-displacement eight-cylinder powertrains, but according to sources within GM, the C7 Corvette may also offer a small, turbocharged V8.
Just how small, exactly? TDB reports that the next Corvette’s European-style V8 could measure in at just over 3.0 liters, using an overhead-cam setup and dry sump oil system. With the aid of turbocharging, unnamed GM sources expect that this engine will deliver “in excess of 400 horsepower,” or about 125 hp per liter. What’s more, the smaller V8 could be of the extremely high-revving nature, with TDB citing that engine revs could handle up to 10,000 RPM.
GM’s North American president, Mark Reuss, previously told The Bureau that the C7 Corvette will “target a very different sort of buyer.”
However, traditional V8 enthusiasts need not worry, as the story states that a full range of engines will be available, including the classic larger displacement units that have traditionally found a home in the Corvette.
Of course, the rumormill about exactly what’s in store for the C7 Corvette continues to swirl. We’ve heard everything from a to a split rear window design that pays tribute to the 1963 ‘Vette. Whatever the case, GM just in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that builds the Corvette and the all-new model is expected to arrive within the next two to three years.
GM Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that it will add two shifts and 2,500 jobs (both hourly and salaried) at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. Currently, the facility builds the and its European cousin, the , but GM is expanding this plant’s capability to handle the production of the , as well as the next-generation sedan.
According to GM, most of the 2,500 new jobs will be filled by laid-off UAW members.
This latest move means that GM has invested $190 million in the Detroit-Hamtramck facility since April 2010. Last year, The General announced a $121M investment to support next-generation Malibu production, and now, an additional $69 million is being pumped into the plant for tooling and equipment that will be used on the future Impala.
GM’s efforts at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly follow the investments that the company has recently made in other states, including the in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as well as facilities in Toledo, Ohio; . for GM’s official press release, as well as a video of a Chevy Volt being produced at the Detroit-Hamtramck facility.
Chevrolet Caprice PPV – Click above to watch video
By now, you’ve probably committed every detail of the new generation of police cruisers to memory. With so many potential successors to the Ford Crown Victoria throne, it pays to know exactly which models to look out for on the road, especially if you dabble in extra-legal speeds. The guys from recently got the chance to get up close and personal with the new Chevrolet Caprice PPV courtesy of a tour by the Los Angeles Police Department. Along with getting the full scoop on what the vehicle has to offer in terms of officer and criminal comfort, we’re also introduced to some of the killer tech on board the new cruiser.
Officers are now treated to an easy-to-navigate touch screen that handles everything from HVAC controls to advanced crime-fighting tech. License-plate recognition software combines two front-mounted cameras with a criminal database to alert officers of potentially threatening drivers and an additional super-sensitive infrared camera can even detect a perpetrator’s footsteps at night. Go go gadget awesome.
Its sheetmetal might not suit your tastes, but Porsche managed to create the best driving luxury sedan on the market. But a hybrid? They’d better not screw this up.
Thanks to some cash from the U.S. Department of Engery, Cummins is developing a four-cylinder oil-burner, and it’s currently nestled under the hood of a Nissan Titan.
Following the launch of the refreshed 2012 Continental GT coupe, Bentley is prepping the inevitable droptop GTC variant.
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2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors has only sold 1,703 copies of the through April, but the automaker plans to crank up the volume for the 2012 model year. GM has announced that it will shut down its Detroit Hamtramck plant for four weeks to prepare for 2012 Volt and Opel Ampera production. The upgrades will enable GM to build 16,000 total units this year, and in 2012 production will grow to 60,000 units; 45,000 of which will be destined for U.S. consumption.
When the 2012 model comes online, GM will begin to open up sales throughout the U.S. The 2011 model is only being sold in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Volt and Ampera will also be shipped to Canada, China and Europe beginning later this year.
During the lengthy shutdown, GM will add new tools, install overhead conveyor systems and other equipment. The General will also set up the plant to build the during the four-week shutdown, though more work will be completed before the mid-size sedan is launched. to read over the GM press release.
Recently, we learned that , and now it seems that our beloved GPS has turned on us. , and it’s a term that refers to folks who wind up in dangerous or fatal situations because they blindly follow the directions provided by their electronic navigational aid.
and into a remote part of Northern Nevada. The husband set out for help while the wife remained with their vehicle for seven weeks until being discovered (still alive) by a group of hunters.
We live in an age where we rely quite heavily on the technology around us. It’s no surprise then that we put blind faith in our personal devices, yet we should take a step back to see them for what they really are. The GPS is a tool to aid with navigation, yet it’s not an infallible machine. Data (and a clear line of sight to orbiting satellites) is a major requirement for a navigation unit to function at its best. More remote areas have less data because of the infrequent amount of traffic they receive, thus a navigation unit would have less information with which to provide feedback.
If you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, and you’re heading into unfamiliar territory, it’s a good idea to remember that your navigation system is part of a team. Your brain should also be part of that team. to watch a CBS News clip discussing the “Death by GPS” phenomenon.
The 9-4X may be late to the party, but it shows that Saab still knows how to make some fine tasting lemonade when seemingly everyone is busy handing the company lemons.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt will have a resale value of a tick over $17,000 after 36 months, the length of an average lease, according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s only 42 percent of the plug-in hybrid’s $41,000 MSRP.
2011Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
The will have a resale value of a tick over $17,000 after 36 months, the length of an average lease, according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s only 42 percent of the plug-inhybrid’s . KBB’s projection assumes that the going rate for a gallon of gas will hold 36 months from now.
Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting at Kelley, told that the Volt’s projected residual value may seem to be on the low side. But, as Ibara points out, the first 200,000 Volts sold qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, effectively slashing its sticker price down to $33,500 (well, ).
Using that $33,500 number, KBB’s projection means the Volt will hold onto 51 percent of its value. That compares to 46 percent for the 2011 and 37.5 percent for the . As we see it, factoring in the $7,500 tax credit is crazy, but we’ll let you guys and gals debate that.
KBB expects to set residuals for the , which also qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, later this year. Hat tip to Frank!
2011Chevrolet Impala – Click above for high-res image gallery
has finally come out and said exactly what kind of power the will bring to the table when it debuts later this year. In February, we heard that the aging full-size four-door will come with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, though at the time, The General elected to skip handing out any specifics beyond displacement. According to GMInsideNews, the 2012 Impala will pack a full 302 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque in standard trim when it touches down.
The is set to receive the same updated 3.6-liter V6.
Unfortunately, those impressive numbers are to be the sum total of the updates that GM has planned for the Impala. The model has been on sale in its current configuration since 2006 and a full update isn’t scheduled to land until 2014 at the earliest. Still, as GMInsideNews points out, the refreshed six pot gives the 2012 Impala almost as much power as the old Impala SS – not too shabby.
is adding a photovoltaic array to the roof of its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. The facility’s new solar panels will help offset the energy consumed when producing . GM has partnered with DTE Energy on the planned 516-kilowatt installation, which will cover 264,000 square feet on six acres of land. In addition to the solar array, further energy-saving measures like automated equipment shutdown, more efficient lighting, and upgrades to more energy-efficient assembly tools will be implemented.
DTE Energy is putting $3 million of its own money into the GM partnership as part of its SolarCurrents program. This initiative aims to install 15 megawatts of solar power systems in Southeast Michigan, and the hope is that large-scale, highly-visible projects like the Detroit-Hamtramck plant will drive more demand for renewable energy in Michigan. Press release posted after the jump.
Volt assembly plant to get largest solar array in MI
The Triation – Click above for high-res image gallery
Some creations out there defy description, walking the thin line between absurdity and awesome toed by the likes of the Type II flatbed and the Tatra T87. This is one such machine. Branded “Triation” by its wayward creator, this ride seemingly mates all the hatefulness of the Chevrolet Celebrity with a propensity for rollovers typically enjoyed only by the Reliant Robin. You see, the Triation uses a Celebrity’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder to push itself down the road.
Why? You’d be better off spending your time pondering why there are no indigo skittles.
Along with three years of custom fabrication work, this project makes use of enough fiberglass to sustain the aftermarket body kit industry for posterity. The seller claims that the Triation has spent most of its life garaged since it needs a clutch. If the thought of fiberglass splinters and malaise-era reliability have you licking your chops, you’d better . This machine is up to $4,700 with the reserve not met and a few hours left on the auction.
2011Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery
What is the best tool for commuting: a , , , or a commuter train? The team at in a recent comparison. Starting out at the Cars.com Chicago headquarters, the team embarked on a 64.5-mile loop to see what mode of transportation could be crowned Abe Froman.
The results are not that surprising, but they do demonstrate the power of a pure electric vehicle driven in an urban setting. We won’t give away all of the results, but the picture above should tell you which automobile was the cheapest to operate. The Cars.com crew makes a few interesting points, and provides great analysis into their commuting competition. .
Rita Chretien survives for seven weeks in her Astro Van – Click above to watch video
The Chretiens left British Columbia with their Astro Van pointing towards Las Vegas. Rita and her husband Albert were embarking on a 1,200-mile road trip. Unfortunately for the Chretiens, and for reasons we don’t know, that Asto Van ended up stuck in the mud out in the Nevada wilderness.
After sitting helpless for a few days, Rita’s husband couldn’t wait around any more and left on foot to try and find some help. Rita stayed behind, and survived for seven weeks in the Chevy before a group of hunters came across the stuck vehicle. Rita Chretien had survived by rationing her trail mix and drinking melted snow. Sadly, Albert has not yet been found but the search for Mr. Chretien continues. to watch an ABC News spot on this story.
Chrysler’s designers and engineers have worked together to right the wrongs of the Sebring, and those efforts have led to the newly named 2011 Chrysler 200.
We spoke to David Reuter, Nissan’s vice president of corporate communications, who assured us that a new version of the Versa hatchback is coming, just not quite yet. The current car will soldier on for the 2012 model year with “only normal model year to model year changes.”
General Motors is recalling 154,112 Cruze models to ensure proper installation of the intermediate steering shaft covers.
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The auto industry has been through a lot since 2009, but it appears that consumers have a lot more confidence in the industry two years later. Brand and marketing consultancy Prophet polled 4,900 U.S. consumers about 145 Fortune 500 companies from 18 different sectors, and the numbers reveal that most automakers are more highly regarded now than in 2009.
and lead the pack, as both automakers ranked in the top 50 overall brands. finished with a score of 60, which is up from 72. made a big leap from 123 to 85, in part because of new technology like the .
Those are all good stories, but then there is . The Japanese automaker, which was saddled with the recall of over 10 million vehicles for floor mat and gas pedal issues, dropped all the way from number 18 to number 139. That number hasn’t exactly resulted in horrible sales totals for Toyota, but there is little doubt that demand has softened a bit for the brand. to read over the press release from Prophet.
2011Chevrolet Cruze Eco – Click above for high-res image gallery
The may be relatively new to the market, but that doesn’t stop it from the recall bug. The Detroit News is reporting that is recalling 154,112(!) Cruze models to ensure proper installation of the intermediate steering shaft covers. Automatic transmission-equipped models will also be checked for proper installation of the transmission shift linkage.
GM says it hasn’t yet received any complaints about the issue and no accidents have been reported. The automaker tells The Detroit News that the vast majority of recalled vehicles will not need to be repaired – the automaker simply wants to inspect the vehicles “to give customers additional peace of mind about the quality of the Cruze.”
Beyond the Cruze recall, GM has also issued a pair of smaller actions. The automaker is recalling 8,723 examples of the and vans for potential brake leaks. Also being recalled are 6,303 and models that are suspected to have a windshield wiper nut that wasn’t tightened to specification during the build process. None of the vehicles in this batch of recalls are reportedly responsible for any accidents as a result of the defects.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ – Click above for high-res image gallery
The may be best attempt yet at creating a truly global midsize sedan. GM says the Malibu will be sold in 100 countries spanning six continents, and one of those markets will be in South Korea, a country where the Malibu has never been offered before.
The General claims that interest in the ‘Bu has grown in Korea, with 30,000 Internet club fan members in a market where the sedan has never before been offered. The excitement comes after GM unveiled the Malibu at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show, where the fresh four-door was named “Most Eye-Catching Car.”
Korean car buyers tend to be a very nationalistic bunch, but that won’t be a problem for the Malibu, since GM will build the sedan in Bupyeong, Korea this fall. In fact, the Bupyeong plant will be the first facility to build the new sedan. The move to sell the Malibu in Korea is part of GM’s plan to replace the Daewoo make with the brand. to read over the GM press release.
In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, is expanding the GM military discount to include spouses and retirees. The discounts, which range between $500 and $4,000, will be valid for the month of May to the spouses and retirees of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard.
The discounts will no-doubt help GM move some metal, but The General also pledges to donate $100 to Cell Phones for Soldiers for every model sold. GM says that the company has already collected 50,000 cell phones and donated 114 million phone card minutes to the charity, which equates to roughly 200 years of call minutes.
Military family Chevy buyers will also have the option of adding an Honor Badge, which has a yellow ribbon in honor of military personnel. To sweeten the pot, GM offering an additional $750 rebate for eligible members of USAA, a financial service provider for the military community.
GM is also unveiling 99 “Honor & Valor” Limited Edition vehicles as part of the promotion. The low volume release will debut during the Indianapolis 500 military personnel parade on May 28. Hit the jump to read over the GM press release.
In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, is expanding the GM military discount to include spouses and retirees. The discounts, which range between $500 and $4,000, will be valid for the month of May to the spouses and retirees of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard.
